Apparatus for separating fluids of different specific gravities.



J. S. GANDER.

APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING FLUIDS OF DIFFERENT SPECIFIC GRAVITIES. APPLICATION FILED JAN 13. 1915.

1,266,008. Patented May14,1918.

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J. S. GANDER. APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING mums OF DIFFERENT SPECIFIC GRAVITIES.

' APPLICATION HLED JAN. 13. I916.

1,266,008. Patented May14,i918. Y my 2.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

J. S. GANDER. I APPARATUS FOR SEPABATING FLUIDS 0F DIFFER ENT'SPECIFIC GRAVITIES.

APPLICATION FILED IAN- I3| I916.

JAMES SANDFORD GANDER, OF STRATFORD, LONDON, ENGLAND.

APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING FLUIDS OF DIFFERENT SPECIFIC GRAVITIEQ.

Application filed January 13, 1916. Serial No. 71,904.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I. JAMES SANDFORD GANDER, a subject of the King of Great Britain and Ireland, residing at 76 Rom- .ford Road, Stratford, London, England,

{have invented certain useful Improvements in Apparatus for Separating Fluids of Different Specific Gravities, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to automatic ejectors or ejectors operating somewhat in the manner of a steam trap,that is to say the apparatus depends for its action upon the dif ference in specific gravity between the liquids or gases to be ejected and the liquids orgases and the like to be retained. This difference is utilized in the form of mechanical effort multiplied by suitable mechanism so that the apparatus is capable of working at high or low pressure. p

The invention has for its object to provide an improved apparatus of this kind which will operate for,

(a) Draining water or other liquids from oils or other liquids, gases and the like.

(6) Draining gases and the like from oils and other liquids.

(0) Performing both duties together.

The improved apparatus consists of a float mounted on a shaft or pivot in a closed chamber, a lever preferably counterweighted and pivoted on the chamber and adapted to be operated by a cam or like member from the shaft on which the float is pivoted, and means whereby the pivoted lever is coupled to and adapted to operate a valve or valves through which the liquid or gases are ejecte I Referring to the drawings,

Figure 1 is a sectional end elevation of 1 one form of apparatus made inaccordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional plan.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section.

Fig. 4 is a section of the cover of a modified construction showing part of the'mechanism mounted thereon. i

Fig. 5 is an elevation of the cover shown in Fig. 4. a

In one construction of apparatus made in accordance with this invention a container on is provided in whichv is mounted a float b of cylindrical form with dished ends, the said float being adjusted 'so that it sinks in the lighter medium and rises in the heavier. The float is weighted as required by means Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 14, 1918.

of a screwed plug 0 on the shell of'the float,

which allows for the admission of weighting material to the inside of the float. An adjacent eyebolt cl allows for' the suspension of the float during this preliminary operation. justment may be permanently made during the process of manufacture.

The float is mounted on a shaft 6 adapted to rock in bearings f f secured to the container shell, the said shaft being attached to the float in the direction of its length on its circumference. The float moves through part of a circle of which the bearing shaft forms the center. At one end of For all ordinary purposes the ad the shaft, and between the end of the float and the adjacent bearing, an eccentric disk 9 or cam with a small throw is fitted. The

lifting of the float causes the eccentric disk or cam to lift or operate the end of a forked lever .71, mounted alongside the end. of the float and this motion is transmitted by suitable mechanism to a spindle j which carries at its lower end a coned valve k seated on an outlet m, which valve allows the heavier medium at the bottom of the apparatus to be ejected by its own weight or by the pressure inside the container. The forked lever h is supported by bearings 17. 7% attached to the shell of the container on the side opposite the shaft bearing or in other suitable position. A counterweight 0 is provided on the lever. to neutralize orminimize the weight thereof and of the valve spindle as desired.

The valve spindle is connected to the forked .lever by links 29 which are fitted to pins 9 on the lever h andto a suitable sliding knuckle 1 on the valve spindle. The sliding knuckle is an easy fit on the valve spindle. A light spring a disposed immediately below the knuckle is adapted to be compressed by a circular nut t against a ta pered washer o in such a manner that the knuckle is not compressed between the tapered washer and the'flange on the spindle.

This arrangement allows the spindle to be revolved by hand for grinding purposes, without removing any of the adjacent parts except a nut w whichis provided at the top ofv the spindle. any damage which might occur to the mechanism by reason of careless adjustment or an obstruction getting under the valve face. In the event of any such accident causing the valve to jam while the float is still exert The spring prevents ing force in a downward direction, the sliding knuckle r presses down the tapered washer and compresses the spring.

The valve seat plug 2 is designed for easy removal and changing. This and another plug 3 at the top of the spindle in the easing also act as guides for the movement of the spindle in a vertical direction. On setting up the apparatus the valve seat plug 2 is screwed into. its boss until the valve face bears against the valve point ]t' on the spindle when the float is at the bottom of its travel. The valve seat plug "2 is then secured by a lock nut 4.

A chamber 5. is provided at the top of the container and is fitted with a removable filtering disk 6 to arrest any toreign matter which might affect the closing of the valve. A further filter 7, is attached to the valve seat plug as an additional precaution. This filter may be in the form of a cage and the upper part also adapted to act as a guide to the valve spindle. At the sides of the said upper chamber are openings Sand 9 for the admission and eXit of the medium to be dealt with.

In order that the float may be agitated if desired a spindle 10 is provided and for the purpose of lifting the valve 01f its seat a spindle 11 is provided in each case passing out through a suitable stufling box in the wall of the casing. In the former case the inner end of said spindle bears against the bottom of the float b; in the latter case the inner end of said spindle bears upon one end of a pivoted lever 12 the other end of which bears upon a collar 13 on the valve spindle 7' so as to raise same as required.

A cock at the end of the hollow plug 14: provided at the top of the chamber allows for the expulsion of air when starting, or for supply connection to the gas extracting part of the apparatus when this is fitted.

In operation the liquids to be separated are passed into the chamber by the inlet 8 above the filter 6. The filtering medium is mounted upon a removable division plate which is provided with an internal pipe 15 and is held down by the hollow plug through which gases may be passed from the lower half of the chamber 5. All that passes through the filter is taken to the middle of the container by the pipe 15. The liquids separate in the container at, the heavy material passing out through the valve 2 and the light material rising into the lower part of the container chamber 5 is discharged through one or more of the outlets 9 9.

A particular feature of the invention is the construction of the float and of the mechanism operated by the float which renders it possible to eject heavier or lighter mediums against pressure automatically.

The above description is of a construction of apparatus for and the apparatus serves for drawing water or other liquids from oils or other liquids, gases and the like, where the valve is at the bottom.

In the construction shown in Figs. i and 5, the cam shaft is formed in two parts, one part is mounted on the container and one part on the cover of the container. The valve, filter, balanced lever, and link con nection are also mounted on the cover.

The end of the. float shaft 6 by the chamber cover 16 is adapted to engage with the end of a shaft 17 which is mounted on bearings 18, 18 attached to the said cover and which carries an eccentric cam or disk 9. The lifting of the float causes the cam or disk to operate the end of a forked, lever h which is mounted on suitable bearings n, attached to the cover 16. This motion is transmitted by suitable mechanism to a spindle which carries a valve at its lower end seated on an outlet, which valve allows the heavier medium at the bottom of the apparatus to be ejected by its own weight or the pressure in the chamber. vided on the lever to neutralize or minimize the weight of the various parts as desired.

The valve spindle j is connected to the forked lever h by links not shown which are A counterweight 0 is prov fitted to pins on the lever end and to a suitable sliding knuckle 1' on the spindle. The sliding knuckle is an easy fit on the valve spindle. A light spring 8 disposed immediately below the knuckle is adapted to-be compressed by a circular nut 26 against a tapered washer 'u in such a manner that the knuckle is not compressed between the tapered washer and the flange on the valve spindle. This arran ement allows the spindle c to be revolved by hand for grinding purposes without removing adjacent parts. The spring prevents any damage which might occur to the mechanism by reason: of careless adjustment or obstruction of valve face. In

the event of any such accident causing the valve to jam while the float is exerting force in a downward direction, the sliding knuckle presses down the tapered washer and compresses the spring.

The cam shaft 17 which transmits the mechanical efl'ort of the float chamber 6 passes through a stufling box 19 in the container cover 16 and engages at one end with the extremity of the float shaft which is suitably recessed to receive the shaped end. The removalof the collar nut 20 on the cam shaft permits of its withdrawal for disconnection or the removal of the cover. A flexible. cou pling 21 connects the spindle with the dis charge. valve to allow for incorrect lining chambermay be utilized to assist or retard the opening or closing of the valve according to the side of the valves used for exit. Suitable guides are fitted to the valve spindlef The forked lever g which is supported on bearings attached to the topmost valve spindle guide causes the valve spindle to lift, if desired (when turned by means of the squared end) by lifting the collar immediately above. I i

I In-orderthat the valve'may not be ob structe'd by portions of solid matter a portable strainer-22 is fitted; By removing the filter cover 23 and unscrewing the nut 24 holding up thestrainer it may be removed for-inspection-or-cleaning. To allow this operation the inlet valve is shut to cut ofl the supply from the interior of the chamber. Tl1e"1nedium which it is desiredto separat'e passesfroin thecontainer through the inlet valve 25 to the passage 26 between the filter casingsflfrom thence to the interior of and-through the strainer, leaving the inner strainer chamber byan internal pipe 2% which connects through the container coverwiththe discharge valve 28. In cases where filtration is accomplished previously or-is not required the internal pipe may be removed and the discharge valve allowed to operate directly from the material in the chamber. To adapt the machine to the conditions of pressure or quantities with which itis'desired to deal the throw of the cant or the area of the valve discharge may be varied;

For the purpose of filtering liquids to be dealt with in the chamber the'upper part of the chamber may be fitted with a separate compartment as described with reference to Figs. 1 to 3 containing a removable filtering cage" ordisk' in such manner vthat no portion of solid matter can pass which might tend to obstruct the working of the mechanism, the inlets and outlets being disposed at opposite sides of the filter.

T he particularfeature of this construction of apparatus is that all parts of the mechanism, except the float and the float shaft-t, are visible and accessible for adjustment i vl iile the machine is in operation. The container cover "need not 'be removed except for examination of tl1e"-interior of the chamber. This type of construction is suitable for dealing with large quantities of liquids, according to the scale of build, at low and intermediate pressures, but may also be used if required for high pressures.

hat I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. Apparatus for separating fluids of dif ferent specific gravities comprising a closed container, an inlet for admitting the fluids to the chamber, an outlet for discharging the fluids from said container, a closed water tight float pivoted in said container,

outlets, and means for converting the radial movement of the float toa motionto move the valve, and means whereby the amount of lift of the valve may bealte'red, While the machine is in active operation.

2. Apparatus for separating fluids of different specific gravities comprising a" closed container, an inlet for admitting the fluids to the chamber, an outlet for discharging the fluids from said container, a 'closed Water tight float pivoted in said container, said float beingadapted to rise in one of the fluids-and to sink in" the other. fluid, a valve adapted to open and close one-of said outlets, and means for converting the radial movement of the float to-a motion'to move the valve, and means whereby; the valve face may be revolvedupon it's seat without disconnecting any partof the D1OWLbl6 n'18Cll anism and without removing'the' fluids from the container'in which the float. operates.

3. Apparatus for separating fluids of different specific gravities comprising a closed container, an inlet for'admittingthe fluids to the chamber, an' outlet: for discharging the fluids from said container, a closed water tight float pivotedin said container, said float being adapted to rise in one of the fluids and to sink in the other fluid, a valve adapted to open and close one ot said outlets and means for converting the radial movement of the float to a motion to move the valve, and means whereby the amount of lift of the valve may be altered,-and means whereby the valve face may be revolved upon its seat without disconnecting any part of the movable mechanism and Without removing the fluids from the container in whichthe float operates, said apparatus being capable of discharging fluids automatically when the said'fluids are at high or low pressure; i

4. Apparatus for separating fluids-oi dif-' fercnt' specific gravities comprising a closed container, an inlet-tor admitting the fluids to the chamber, an outlet for "discharging the fluids" from "said container, a"'closod water tight float pivoted in said container, said float being adapted to rise in one ot the fluids and to sinkin the other fluid, a valve adapted to open and close one of said outlets, and means for transmitting the 1 angular' motion of the float to the valve the fluids from said container, :1 closed water tight float pivoted in said container, said float being adapted to rise in one of the fluids and to sink in the other fluid, a valve adapted to open and close one of said outlets, and means for transmitting the angular motion of the float to the valve comprising a shaft on which the float is mounted, a cam on said shaft, a balanced lever adapted to engage said cam and a link connection between the said lever and the valve, a buffer spring being disposed between the said valve and the said lever and means for permitting the valve spindle to be moved axially.

6. Apparatus for separating fluids of different specific gravities comprising a closed container, an inlet for admitting the fluids to the chamber, an outlet for discharging the fluids from said container, a closed water tight float pivoted in said container, said float being adapted to rise in one of the fluids and to sink in the other fluid, a valve adapted to open and close one of said outlets, and means for transmitting the angular motion of the float to the valve comprising a shaft on which the float is mounted, a cam on said shaft, a balanced lever adapted to engage said cam and a link connection between the said lever and the valve, a buffer spring being disposed between the said valve and the said lever and means for permitting the valve spindle to be moved axially, said spindle being free to revolve on its axis.

7 Apparatus for separating fluids of different specific gravities comprising a closed container, an inlet for admitting the fluids to the chamber, an outlet for discharging the fluids from said container, a closed water tight float pivoted in said container, said float being adapted to rise in one of the fluids and to sink in the other fluid, a valve adapted to open and close one of said outlets, and means for transmitting the angular motion of the float to the valve comprising a shaft on which the float is mounted, a cam on said shaft, a balanced lever adapted to engage said cam and a link connection between the said lever and the valve, a buffer spring being disposed between the said valve and the said lever and means for permitting the valve spindle to be moved axially, said spindle being free to revolve on its axis, and means for lifting the valve from the valve face, adapted to be operated from outside the container.

8. Apparatus for separatingv fluids of dif ferent specific gravities comprising a closed container, an inlet for admitting the'fluids to the chamber, an outlet for discharging the fluids from said container, a closed wa ter tight float pivotedin said container, said float being adapted to rise inone of the fluids and to sink in the other fluid, a valve adapted to open and close one of said outlets, and' means for transmitting the angular motion of the float to the valve comprising a shaft on which the float is mounted, a cam on said shaft, a balanced lever ada ted to engage said cam and a'link connection between the said lever and the valve, a buffer spring being disposed between the said valve and the said lever and means for permitting the valve spindle to be moved axially, said spindle being free torevolve on its axis, and means for lifting the valve from the valve face, adapted to be operated from outside the container, and means for agitating the float adapted to be operated from outside the container, said means for lifting the valve being adapted to be operated independently of the means for agitating the float.

9. In apparatus for separating fluids of different specific gravity, a float adapted to rise in one of the fluids and to sink in the other fluid and a valve adapted to be opened by the motion of the float to discharge one of the fluids, the means for transmitting'the motion of the float to the valve comprising a shaft on which the float is mounted, a cam on said shaft, a balanced lever adapted to engage said cam and a link connection between the said lever and the valve, said cam shaft being formed in two parts detachably connected together, one part being mounted on the container and one part on the cover of the container, said valve, balanced lever and link connectionsbeing also mounted on the cover of the container.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JAMES SANDFORD GAND Fit.

Witnesses:

HELEN SUTHERLAND, Gnnnns IVHITELAW.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, D. G. I v 

